Police officers in Chandler shot and killed a 41-year-old man in front of his young daughter on New Year's Day after he allegedly made threats to harm her, the department said.
In a statement, Chandler police said two officers opened fire on Gerald Philpot Jr. during a traffic stop Thursday evening.
Police spokesman Ryan Cody said Philpot initiated contact with authorities.
"Spoke to one of our 911 dispatchers and told them he was making threats against his young daughter who was also in the car with him at the time when he was driving," Cody said.
Cody said the girl was unharmed and returned to her mother. The police statement indicated a knife was found in the vehicle.
The Mesa Police Department will lead the investigation into the officers’ use of lethal force.
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